Talk of the town: Getting in on the floodlit racquet

HERE at Talk of the Town we like to think we contribute positively to Edinburgh’s sporting culture.

So, in the wake of yesterday’s story revealing that the Meadows’ tennis courts will soon be floodlit, with the clubhouse undergoing renovation work, we are proud to wind the clock back a year and reprint a paragraph from this column on June 17, 2011.

Namely . . . “with studies being conducted on the possible introduction of some floodlighting at the Meadows courts, it might be worth bearing in mind that from 6.30pm until almost 10pm, each of the 16 courts were fully occupied – and that’s before Wimbledon gets under way!”

Which means the answer to that ancient question, “anyone for tennis?”, is a resounding “yes”.

Blackbird flies into city from the big smoke

BY the sounds of things it’s more Portobello Road, London, than our equivalent.

Inspired by the bars of Soho and Shoreditch, a third offering from a city bar and restaurant chain is about to open in the Capital.

The Blackbird, a sister venue to Hamilton’s in Stockbridge and Treacle in Broughton Street, will open its doors a stone’s throw from the student-swamped suburbs of Bruntsfield and Marchmont.

Based in Leven Street, the new bar, which aims to serve young and old, day and night, opens in late September.

No endorsement, then?

OVER the years, this newspaper has undoubtedly published millions of words’ worth of motorists’ moans over the state of our roads, from the days of the mooted congestion charge to various stages of the tram works, including the misery in the New Town.

But just in case you missed any of those editions, Twitter user Dan Kerr has helpfully condensed much of it into one sentence: “Edinburgh city centre is the worst place to drive in EVER.”

Look out for a big scoop

MOVE over Madonna, you can’t compete with the really big event taking place in the Capital this Saturday – the giveaway of free ice-cream.

In a bid to give its movie channels big licks, broadcaster Sky will be handing out the sweeteners from a van in Castle Street South at noon.

Clips from the summer schedule will be screened, while the information Talk of the Town has been sent makes no suggestion whatsoever those who turn up will be given the opportunity to sign up for Sky . . .